Joseph Shapiro
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Now, in a letter to governors, the Department of Health and Human Services says that practice is wrong, that the checks belong to the child.
An NPR investigation in 2020 showed when a child leaves foster care, that money matters.
It can pay for college, a car,
Since then, 10 states have started passing the checks to foster youth.
The HHS letter says all states should follow.
When a parent dies, Social Security pays survivor benefits to dependent children.
But for kids in foster care, it's common for states to cash those checks as reimbursement for foster care.
Now, in a letter to governors, the Department of Health and Human Services says that practice is wrong, that the checks belong to the child.
An NPR investigation in 2020 showed when a child leaves foster care, that money matters.
It can pay for college, a car, or a place to live.
Since then, 10 states have started passing the checks to foster youth.
The HHS letter says all states should follow.
Karen Williams couldn't work because of a disability. She was struggling to pay for her everyday expenses. But she was proud of how she managed the little money she did have.
Karen Williams couldn't work because of a disability. She was struggling to pay for her everyday expenses. But she was proud of how she managed the little money she did have.
Karen Williams couldn't work because of a disability. She was struggling to pay for her everyday expenses. But she was proud of how she managed the little money she did have.
But it wasn't enough. One of her health care providers told her about this program called SSI. So she applied. And the monthly benefit, she got several hundred dollars a month, was a relief. It made her life better. It helped her get by, at least for a while. Then the program turned into her nightmare.
But it wasn't enough. One of her health care providers told her about this program called SSI. So she applied. And the monthly benefit, she got several hundred dollars a month, was a relief. It made her life better. It helped her get by, at least for a while. Then the program turned into her nightmare.